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FAYETTEVILLE — A Cumberland County elementary school principal accused of making some students walk 2½ hours for not wearing their uniforms has been removed from the job.

Superintendent Frank Till Jr. said Wednesday that Manchester Elementary School principal Tammy Holland has been temporarily reassigned to the school system's central office. She has 14 days to appeal the decision.

The Fayetteville Observer reports that parents said the students, mostly fifth-graders, didn't wear their uniforms to school on the last day on June 10, thinking they could wear regular clothes. Parents said Holland didn't approve the change and that the students were told to walk on a dirt track.

Parents also said the children weren't allowed to eat breakfast at school and that teachers were ordered not to give them water while they walked.